April 2016 E-Newsletter
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ACDS AHC of Greater Baltimore ARC of the Central Chesapeake Region Episcopal Housing HOC of Montgomery County Interfaith Housing Alliance MAHRA Mission First Housing Volunteers of America 2016 Board of DirectorsChickie Grayson, President Ivy Carter, Vice President Jonette Hahn, Treasurer Kathleen Koch, Secretary Eric Brown Ed Delany Jim French Kim Fry Phil Gibbs Jeff Hettleman Dave Raderman, Of Counsel Peter Siegel Corine Sheridan Jessica Zuniga MAHC StaffMiranda Darden-Willems Executive Director Want to Join the MAHC Board?The Nominating Committee is accepting nominations from MAHC Members in good standing who are interested in serving on the Board of Directors for a minimum two-year term beginning July 1, 2016. For more information or to be considered for the Board, contact Executive Director Miranda Darden-Willems. Nominations must be received by May 12, 2016. Welcome New MAHC Members
| Session 2016 Wrap Up: Session 2016 was a rollercoaster of unexpected twists and turns. Despite our strong advocacy efforts, testimony at multiple hearings, and steadfast support from Delegates Maggie McIntosh and Adrienne Jones who pushed to add money to the budget for RHW, the final budget passed by the Legislature only allocated $12.5M in FY17 for RHW. In an unprecedented turn of events, at the suggestion of the DLS, $10M in RHW funds, as well as nearly the entire DHCD budget, was moved from the capital budget to the operating budget. The capital budget passed with an allocation of an additional $2.5M of capital funding for RHW for a total of $12.5M in funding for FY17. Although this funding level is the lowest since the program's inception four years ago, we are encouraged that the Governor’s budget made RHW part of DHCD’s Rental Housing Programs budget. New "intent" language was included in the capital budget from the legislature instructing the Governor to fund RHW at a minimum of $20M in future budgets. While not mandatory, this is a strong sign of legislative support for the RHW program. The commitment of our members and advocates to fight for increased funding was a bright spot amid our disappointment with the budget outcome. We will continue to advocate for funding of this very successful program at historical levels next year. We also helped defeat several bills including: HB 1472 "The Fire Safety Construction Act", which would have changed the State building code to require steel and concrete construction for multifamily buildings in urban areas and required a 24-hour fire safety watch, among other provisions; HB 243 which would have given broader definition to who can file a court action if they feel they are negatively impacted by a land use action; and SB 547 which would have required Public Housing Authorities to broaden eligibility requirements for ex-offenders who want to live in public housing. Another bill we opposed, SB 241, did pass but was amended to remove the provision that would required owners to pay tenants moving expenses if they voluntarily moved due to the occupancy change, but now only requires owners of Senior housing properties that are converting to general occupancy to provide tenants with a 180-day notice of the change. A few bills that passed and may be of interest to our members include SB182 which requires landlords to install carbon monoxide detectors in rental units by April 1, 2018. HB 684 which codified the Baltimore Regional Housing Initiative (BRNI) and includes a funding mandate of $12M annually through 2022 (though it only received $3M in 2017). BRNI provides funds to community development organizations in and around Baltimore City for neighborhood revitalization projects, including mixed use projects that include housing. In addition, DHCD's bill (HB 326) passed and authorizes the Community Development Administration to engage in more business lending and expands the Neighborhood Business Works program to priority funding areas. Finally, several other bills that MAHC supported did not move ahead, including the HOME Act and the Community Development Fund, but we expect to see them again next session.
Thanks to Jessica Zuniga and the MAHC Legislative Committee for all of your hard work this session, and to our members for your advocacy efforts! President's PerspectiveDear MAHC Members and Friends, The 2016 Legislative Session had its ups and downs.. We started with the Governor’s budget request of $10M for Rental Housing Works. The Legislature through the good works of Maggie McIntosh and Adrienne Jones increased the amount to $15M. At the last minute in the conference committee, $2.5M was rescinded and the total RHW for 2016-2017 budget is $12.5M. The lowest amount ever funded for RHW. The MAHC Board will work with the Governor’s office early and often to advocate for this important program and will be meeting with Secretary Holt and the Governor’s staff to address the budget gap. We do appreciate all of your efforts – your phone calls, emails, and legislative visits did make a difference and we had the support of many Legislators. I look forward to seeing many of you at MAHC’s upcoming Members’ Breakfast with DHCD Secretary Ken Holt on April 21st in Annapolis! ~Chickie Grayson Join us for Breakfast with the SecretaryMAHC Members are invited to join us for our Spring membership event - a Breakfast with DHCD Secretary Ken Holt and his staff. There will be plenty of time for networking followed by a short program where we will hear from DHCD staff about what's going on at the Department and what MAHC has been working on, and DHCD will present their housing awards. The event is going to take place on April 21, 2016 from 8:30am - 11:30am at the Double Tree Hotel, 210 Holiday Court, Annapolis, MD. Space is limited and registration is required, so please go HERE to register. MAHC's Comments on the QAPThe MAHC Development Committee and the MAHC Local Government/PHA Committee reviewed the first draft of the QAP and made recommendations to the Board, which were submitted to the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. The majority of comments revolved around the Community of Opportunity and Qualified Census Tract (QCT) changes and how the point system could be better balanced. Both committees had significant comments on the community revitalization criteria. Our members had concerns over the changes to special needs targeting and the length of time those units have to be held, as well as the change for more 3-bedroom units. You can read MAHC's full comments on the QAP HERE. If you wish to get involved in a MAHC Committee please contact Miranda Darden-Willems. What's Going on at Maryland DHCD
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